(A) No person who is eighteen years of age or older shall engage in sexual conduct with another, who is not the spouse of the offender, when the offender knows the other person is thirteen years of age or older but less than sixteen years of age, or the offender is reckless in that regard.

On 17 December 2012, the US 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, ruled that Crystal Dixon's comments in a newspaper column – that gay rights can not be compared to civil rights because homosexuality is a choice – went against the very policies the University of Toledo wanted her to create and enforce as associate vice president for human resources. They said that her speech was not protected [C1.2], [R1.1].

On 16 February 2018, Judge Sylvia Sieve Hendon in the Hamilton County Juvenile Court gave custody of a 17-year-old transgender teen who identifies as male to his maternal grandparents rather than his parents, allowing them to make medical decisions regarding his transition and prohibit the treatment that his medical team had recommended. The grandparents can also petition to change the child's name in probate court. [C2.10], [R2.9].

In March 2012, Franklin County Magistrate Kathleen Knisely ruled that Julie Ann Smith, the biological mother, and her former partner, Julie Rose Rowell must share custody of their 8-year-old daughter Maddie, finding evidence that 'supports (Rowell's) testimony that she and Smith were life partners with an agreement to raise Maddie together. They do not support Smith's assertions that Rowell was just a girlfriend/roommate and sometime baby sitter' [R2.8].See also [C2.5], [R2.4].

On 12 July 2011, the Supreme Court of Ohio in the case of In re Mullen upheld 4–3 lower court rulings that a biological mother who acknowledged her same-sex partner as a co-parent of her daughter while the two women were in a relationship did not permanently give up her sole custody of the child to create legal shared custody with the partner [C2.7], [R.2.6].

On 09 June 2011, a three-judge panel of the Tenth District Court of Appeals (Franklin County, encompassing Columbus and vicinity) ruled, 2-to-1, against a non-biological mother attempting to enforce a temporary visitation order to see Maddie, the biological daughter of the woman with whom she formerly had a relationship [C2.5], [R2.4].

In June 2008, the Franklin County Court of Appeals in Ohio upheld the custody arrangement between the two lesbian parents despite the state's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. The three-judge panel ruled that the joint-custody agreement, which was signed by both biological mother Denise Fairchild and former partner Therese Leach (formerly Fairchild) in 2001 was a consent decree, which "is not subject to attack through appeal" [R2.3].

On 27 August 2002, the Ohio Supreme Court rejected a lesbian couple's claim that both women are parents of each other's children, but said a juvenile court may decide whether to grant the women's request for equal custody [C2.2], [R2.2].

In October 2001, an Ohio appellate court overturned a lower court order granting custody of a toddler to an HIV-positive couple. The appellate court ruled the couple had failed to go through proper adoption procedures [R2.1].

Amend the Ohio Constitution to recognize marriage as a union between one man and one woman; neither the state nor counties can give legal status to unmarried individuals whose relationships are intended to approximate the design or effect of marriage [R1.1].

2.

Counties

On 08 December 2015, Cuyahoga County Council repealed an ordinance that extended health care benefits to domestic partners of county employees. The action was due to the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision authorizing same-sex marriage [R2.3].

On 06 December 2011, Cuyahoga County Council did not vote on proposed domestic partner benefits as scheduled. Instead, the ordinance was put on hold until the Human Relations Commission can give the Council a definition of "domestic partner" and cost estimates [R2.2].

On 18 August 2009, Franklin County became the first county to enact domestic-partner health care benefits for its employees [R2.1].

3.

Cities & Towns

On 22 November 2010, Columbus City Council approved health insurance benefits to the same-sex and unmarried opposite-sex partners of city workers, effective 01 February [R3.5].

In May 2009, the Cleveland City Council voted in December 2008 to create a domestic-partner registry. From 07 May 2009, Cleveland couples can finally begin registering as domestic partners [R3.4].

In 04 November 2003 ballot, Cleveland Heights voters approved creating a domestic-partner registry to let unmarried couples record their relationships at City Hall, making the City the first city in Ohio to start such a registry [R3.3].

The registry is not binding on courts, governments, hospitals or private companies, but many have accepted registries in other states. To register, couples will have to show identification, sign a statement and pay a fee, commencing early 2004 [R3.3].

On 15 April 2002 Cleveland Heights became the first Ohio city to offer health benefits to same-sex couples one or both of whom are city employees [R3.2].

The ordinance came into effect 15 May 2002.

In October 2002, the City of Toledo was considering legislation to extend medical benefits to spouses of city employees in either gay or straight unmarried relationships.

A first reading was expected on 19 November 02 with a final vote in early December [R3.1].

4.

Courts & Tribunals

On 28 May 2004, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Robert T. Glickman has ruled that the Cleveland Heights registry, the nation's first voter-approved domestic partner registry is constitutional, rejecting the challenge filed by The Rev. Jimmie Hicks Jr., a Cleveland Heights councilman [R4.2].

On 31 July 2002, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that a lesbian couple can legally adopt a last name they created [R4.1].

4.

Churches

In November 2009, Bishop Thomas E. Breidenthal announced that the Episcopal diocese of southern Ohio had lifted its ban on blessings of same-sex unions, with ceremonies becoming available to gay couples beginning April 4, Easter Sunday, 2010 [R5.1].

5.

Insurance

In January 2003, the State Farm insurance company reportedly refused to pay a burglary claim under a homeowner policy taken out by one domestic partner where the other domestic partner was not specifically named in the policy [R6.1].

Ohio does not have a state-wide law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation [R1.7].

On 19 November 2018, seven years after Governon John Kasich removed ''gender identity and expression'' from Ohio's anti-discrimination policy, the Columbus-area Republican issued Executive Order 2018-12K re-adding the language to protect transgender state employees and job applicants. The policy also forbids state discrimination based on race, religion, gender, age, or sexual orientation, among others [R1.6].

In December 2011, Shari Hutchinson settled her claim of discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation after a federal judge said gay and lesbian government workers are protected by the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution's 14th Amendment [C3.1], [R1.5].

On 23 September 2011, the Equal Housing and Employment Act, making discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in public and private employment, housing and public accommodations unlawful, was reportedly to be reintroduced in the House of Representatives by Republican Rep. Ross McGregor and Democratic Rep. Nickie Antonio [R1.4]. The Bill was reintroduced on 27 September 2011 [R1.3].

In January 2011, newly-elected Governor John Kasich, a Republican, signed Executive Order 2011-05K, establishing anti-discrimination policy for the executive branch of the state government. The new Order lists the same categories identified by the prior governor,
Democrat Ted Strickland, including sexual orientation. However, the Order does not mention "gender identity," which has been commonly included in more recent executive orders and anti-discrimination regulations and legislation in other jurisdictions – CCH Workday, Jan. 26 [R1.2].

In April 2003, Ohio House Bill 147 would if passed amend all sections of the Ohio Revised Code dealing with discrimination by adding "sexual orientation" everywhere other protected classes such as race, religion, and national origin are currently listed [R1.1]. A similar bill is expected to be introduced to the Senate.

In the bill, "sexual orientation" is defined as "heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, asexuality, or transgenderism, whether actual or perceived."

The areas of the law that would be affected are those dealing with employment, labor organizations, housing, selling and renting, credit, financial assistance, and public accommodations such as hotels, restaurants or other commercial establishments open to the public.

The bill was assigned to the State Government Committee, which may schedule hearings.

On 26 July 2017, the Kent City Council reportedly approved an ordinance banning discrimination in any ''place of public accommodation'' in the city, such as lodging, restaurants, barbershops, theaters or stores. Private clubs or churches are exempt [R2.7].

On 13 July 2016, the City of Cleveland voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 1446-13 expanding the existing nondiscrimination law that covers public accommodations to include transgender people, allowing transgender individuals to use almost any restroom in town consistent with their gender identity [L2.6], [R2.5].

On 05 July 2016, the Newark City Council was reported to have voted unanimously to pass Ordinance 16-18 amending the city ordinances prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in employment, fair housing [R2.4].

On 19 July 2011, East Cleveland passed an expansive civil rights ordinance that covers sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, gender and disability in the areas of education, employment, public accommodation and housing [R2.3].

On 02 November 2010, Bowling Green voters upheld two ordinances: one bans discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity (transgender protections) and HIV status – among other factors – in the area of housing, while a second law covers public accommodations, education and employment [R2.2].

In September 2000, the Akron Beacon Journal reported that an anti-discrimination law before the Akron City Council would, for the first time, ban discrimination against homosexuals in the areas of housing, employment and services [R2.1].

Dayton was debating a similar ordinance.

In 1993, Cincinnati received national attention, when voters passed an amendment to Article XII of the city charter forbidding any law extending protections based on sexual orientation. The amendment reversed a vote by the City Council the previous year, and later court decisions upheld the charter amendment.

On 30 October 2018, US District Judge William O Bertelsman dismissed a case filed against Warren County Probate Judge Joseph Kirby stating he discriminated against transgender juveniles. The Court determined that ''The proper way to challenge an adverse judgment is to appeal, not to sue the judge'' [C3.10], [R3.9].

On 07 March 2018, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination against transgender workers. RG & GR Harris Funeral Homes Inc in Detroit unlawfully discriminated against Aimee Stephens, formerly known as Anthony Stephens, based on her sex [C3.8], [R3.7].

On 11 March 2013, on a plea, the Capital Club was ordered (by Judge H W Pollitt) in Franklin County Municipal Court (11 March 2013) to pay $1000 and costs to Savanna DeLong, 53, who said she was denied work after 12 years as a massage therapist when she told people in 2010 that she was transitioning from a man (Joseph Scott Delong) to a woman [C3.6], [R3.5].

On 14 August 2012, US District Court Judge James Gwin denied a motion for summary judgment (in Jason W Koran v. The Ohio Bell Telephone Company), making a significant argument in favor of recognizing discrimination based on sexual orientation under Title VII's (Civil Rights Act) protections against discrimination based on sex [C3.4], [R3.3].

On 25 April 2011, Judge James S Gwin in the US District Court Northern District of Ohio held that gay and lesbian government workers are protected by the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution's 14th Amendment [C3.2].

On 07 July 2005, a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court jury awarded Russell Rich $490,000 damages against McDonalds for discriminating against him as an employee after learning he was HIV-positive [R3.1].

On 19 November 2018, seven years after Governon John Kasich removed ''gender identity and expression'' from Ohio's anti-discrimination policy, the Columbus-area Republican issued Executive Order 2018-12K re-adding the language to protect transgender state employees and job applicants. The policy also forbids state discrimination based on race, religion, gender, age, or sexual orientation, among others [R1.2].

In August 2002, Ohio reportedly had sanctioned marriages between "same-sex" partners, where one was born the opposite sex, however a heterosexual couple has been denied a marriage license because the hopeful groom is transsexual [R1.1].

2.

Cities & Towns

On 13 July 2016, the City of Cleveland voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 1446-13 expanding the existing nondiscrimination law that covers public accommodations to include transgender people, allowing transgender individuals to use almost any restroom in town consistent with their gender identity [L2.3], [R2.2].

On 30 November 2009, the Cleveland city council unanimously passed an ordinance that will change antidiscrimination laws to add protections for transgender people in employment and housing [R2.1].

On 04 March 2019, Court of Appeals Judge M Powell reversed a Warren County Judge Joseph Kirby's decision in the case of a transgender teen who wanted to change his name finding he abused his discretion when he denied the request, saying the original decision discounts the parents' wishes and medical evidence [C3.21], [R3.20].

On 30 October 2018, US District Judge William O Bertelsman dismissed a case filed against Warren County Probate Judge Joseph Kirby stating he discriminated against transgender juveniles. The Court determined that ''The proper way to challenge an adverse judgment is to appeal, not to sue the judge'' [C3.19], [R3.18].

On 22 June 2018, Warren County Probate Court Judge Joseph Kirby denied the application of 15-year-old F2M transgender Heidi Claire Whitaker to change his name to Elliott John Whitaker, finding Elliott lacked ''the age, maturity, knowledge, and stability to make this decision'' [C3.17], [R3.16].

On 07 March 2018, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination against transgender workers. RG & GR Harris Funeral Homes Inc in Detroit unlawfully discriminated against Aimee Stephens, formerly known as Anthony Stephens, based on her sex [C3.15], [R3.14].

On 16 February 2018, Judge Sylvia Sieve Hendon in the Hamilton County Juvenile Court gave custody of a 17-year-old transgender teen who identifies as male to his maternal grandparents rather than his parents, allowing them to make medical decisions regarding his transition and prohibit the treatment that his medical team had recommended. The grandparents can also petition to change the child's name in probate court. [C3.13], [R3.12].

On 16 December 2016, the US Court of Appeal for the Sixth Circuit ruled 2-1 that an 11-year-old m2f identifying transgender Ohio child Jane Doe must be allowed to continue to use the girls' restroom while the Highland Local School District appeals a court ruling in her favor, declining the motion for a stay of injunction [C3.11], [R3.10].

On 26 September 2016, US District Judge Algenon L Marbley ruled in favor of transgender elementary school student Jane Doe seeking to use the Highland Elementary School restroom consistent with her gender identity, ordering the school to ''treat Jane Doe as the girl she is'', which includes referring to her by female pronouns [C3.9], [R3.8].

On 02 May 2014, Judge Algenon Marbley in the US District Court Judge for the Southern District of Ohio ordered the state to permanently continue providing Mansfield Correctional Institution inmate Whitney Lee with hormone treatments for the rest of her time behind bars [R3.7].

On 02 April 2014, Judge Algenon L Marbley in the US District Court granted the application of Antione S Lee for a temporary restraining order and ordered that hormone treatment be forthwith resumed by Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, with a preliminary injunction hearing set down for 01 May [C3.6], [R3.5].

On 11 March 2013, on a plea, the Capital Club was ordered (by Judge H W Pollitt) in Franklin County Municipal Court (11 March 2013) to pay $1000 and costs to Savanna DeLong, 53, who said she was denied work after 12 years as a massage therapist when she told people in 2010 that she was transitioning from a man (Joseph Scott Delong) to a woman [C3.4], [R3.3].

On 16 August 2002, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that a male transsexual who wants to live as a woman can legally take a female name [R3.2].

The court followed its own July 31 decision on a similar case involving a lesbian couple to rule that Richard Maloney of Butler County can change his name [R3.1].

There is no state-wide hate crimes law that includes sexual orientation or gender identity. Federal law only covers LBGT persons for bias-motivated acts based on sexual orientation and gender identity if the crime poses a threat to interstate or foreign commerce [R1.1].

2.

Cities & Towns

On 02 December 2014, Toledo City Council voted 12-0 to add gender identity to the city's hate crime ordinance that already includes protections on the basis of sexual orientation [R2.3].

In 2008, Columbus expanded hate-crime laws in the city code to include LGBT persons [R1.1].

In February 2003, the Cincinnati City Council passed an expanded hate-crimes law that allows additional penalties for misdemeanor crimes committed against a person based on sexual orientation [R2.2].

The law makes it a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail, to harass, menace or deface someone's property because of his or her sexual orientation, age or disability [R2.1].

The law, first passed in 1995, already applied to crimes motivated by hatred based on race, color, national origin or religion [R2.1]

On 09 December 2015, Cincinnati Council voted 7-2 to pass a new Chapter 769, Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Change Efforts, of Title VII, General Regulations, of the Cincinnati Municipal Code, which prohibits therapy designed to change sexual orientation or gender identity for minors, and imposes a $200-a-day fine on violators [R1.2].

On 26 August 2014, it was reported that starting next year, the City of Cincinnati employee health insurance benefits will cover transition-related procedures deemed medically necessary by a professional mental health counselor [R1.1].

2.

Courts & Tribunals

On 02 May 2014, Judge Algenon Marbley ordered the state to permanently continue providing Mansfield Correctional Institution inmate Whitney Lee with hormone treatments for the rest of her time behind bars [R2.6].

On 02 April 2014, Judge Algenon L Marbley in the US District Court granted the application of Antione S Lee for a temporary restraining order and ordered that hormone treatment be forthwith resumed by Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, with a preliminary injunction hearing set down for 01 May [C2.5], [R2.4].

On 28 March 2014, attorney Al Gerhardstein said the Complaint in Cowger and Wesley v. Kasich was voluntarily withdrawn after family health insurance cover was obtained [R2.3].

On 19 February 2014, a Complaint was filed on behalf of a couple in the US District Court of Ohio seeking a declaration that Ohio's statewide ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional, interfering with their fundamental rights of family and parenting and preventing them from purchasing family health insurance policies [C2.2], [R2.1].

Under Ohio Revised Code 2903.11(B)(1), it is considered felonious assault, a second-degree felony, for a person who knows they are HIV positive to knowingly have sex without first disclosing their HIV status to their sex partner [L1.1].

On 26 October 2017, the Ohio Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a law requiring HIV-infected individuals to tell partners about their status before having sex. Attorneys challenged the law on behalf of Ohio man Orlando Batista convicted of failing to tell his girlfriend he had HIV [C2.4], [R2.3].

On 18 May 2017, the Supreme Court of Ohio heard oral arguments in the Batista case (No. 2016-0903) [R2.2].

On 06 May 2016, Judge Stautberg in the Court of Appeals, affirmed the trial court's judgment in the Batista case [C2.3], [R2.2].

On 14 July 2014, Orlando Batista was indicted under Ohio Revised Code 2903.11(B)(1) in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas after he had sex with his girlfriend without first disclosing his HIV-positive status to her. Batista entered a no contest plea and was found guilty as charged in the indictment and sentenced to the maximum penalty of eight years in prison [R2.2].

In July 2005, a court awarded damages against a company for discriminating against an employee after learning he was HIV-positive [R2.1].

(A) No person shall solicit a person who is less than thirteen years of age to engage in sexual activity with the offender, whether or not the offender knows the age of such person.

(B) No person shall solicit another, not the spouse of the offender, to engage in sexual conduct with the offender, when the offender is eighteen years of age or older and four or more years older than the other person, and the other person is thirteen years of age or older but less than sixteen years of age, whether or not the offender knows the age of the other person.

Ohio Revised Code Section 2907.07 Importuning reportedly made it a first-degree misdemeanor to ask anyone of the same sex to engage in sexual activity "when the offender knows such solicitation is offensive to the other person, or is reckless in that regard" [R1.1].

2.

Courts & Tribunals

On 08 June 2011, the Supreme Court held In re D.B., 129 Ohio St.3d 104, 2011-Ohio-2671 that a statutory rape law was unconstitutional, as applied to a twelve year old boy who had sexual contact with an eleven year old boy [C2.3], [R2.2].

On 13 September 2001, in an appeal in Ohio's Eighth District Court of Appeals (City of Cleveland v Joseph Maistros No. 79007, 2001WL1110295, 2001 Ohio App. Lexis 4102) heard in July, it was argued that the importuning ordinance should be stricken from the books because it turns on the gender of both the offender and victim and violates the U.S. Constitution's equal-protection clause and the Court reversed and vacated the decision and sentence of Cleveland Municipal Judge Robert J. Triozzi that fined Maistros $150 and sentenced him to 180 days in jail but suspended the jail time on the condition that he stay away from Cleveland State University [R2.1].

On 26 June 2013, the US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that same-sex couples have the constitutional right to marry and all states must fully recognize same-sex marriages lawfully performed in any jurisdiction [C2.30, [R2.29]. See 2. Courts & Tribunals below .

(C)(1) Any marriage between persons of the same sex is against the strong public policy of this state. Any marriage between persons of the same sex shall have no legal force or effect in this state and, if attempted to be entered into in this state, is void ab initio and shall not be recognized by this state.

(2) Any marriage entered into by persons of the same sex in any other jurisdiction shall be considered and treated in all respects as having no legal force or effect in this state and shall not be recognized by this state.

(3) The recognition or extension by the state of the specific statutory benefits of a legal marriage to nonmarital relationships between persons of the same sex or different sexes is against the strong public policy of this state [ ]

(4) Any public act, record, or judicial proceeding of any other state, country, or other jurisdiction outside this state that extends the specific benefits of legal marriage to nonmarital relationships between persons of the same sex or different sexes shall be considered and treated in all respects as having no legal force or effect in this state and shall not be recognized by this state.

On 03 April 2012, Attorney General Mike DeWine (R) approved the petition language for an amendment that would redefine marriage in Ohio as a union of two consenting adults, regardless of gender. 385,253 valid signatures of registered Ohio voters must be gathered in order to put the marriage equality amendment on the Ohio ballot in 2013 [R1.5].

Amend the Ohio Constitution to recognize marriage as a union between one man and one woman; neither the state nor counties can give legal status to unmarried individuals whose relationships are intended to approximate the design or effect of marriage [R1.4].

In December 2003, the Republican-controlled House voted 69–23 to pass a bill that would ensure that gay marriage would not be recognized in Ohio and state employees could not obtain health insurance and other benefits for their unmarried partners [R1.3].

In May 2001, House Bill 234, a "Defence of Marriage Act" bill, was reintroduced to the legislature, seeking to establish that Ohio law limits the institution of marriage to heterosexual relationships between one man and one woman [R1.2].

The Bill would also prohibit marriage benefits for unwed couples, gay or straight.

On 10 December 2015, the State filed a notice attesting to having complied with the 02 November 2015 same-sex marriage order of US District Judge Timothy S Black to publish the Court's Final Judgment and Declaratory Judgment and Permanent Injunction on the Ohio Department of Health website [C2.44], [R2.43].

On 30 September 2015, it was reported that Judge George McCarthy in Athens County Common Pleas Court had now granted Brenda Mohney and Erin O'Leary a divorce. On 18 December, the Judge vacated his 25 November decision granting a divorce decree, not realising they were a same-sex couple. Brenda Mohney refiled after the US Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges [R2.42].

On 07 August 2015, The Supreme Court of Ohio Board of Professional Conduct issued an opinion concluding that a judge who performs civil marriages may not refuse to perform same-sex marriages while continuing to perform opposite-sex marriages or discontinue performing all marriages, in order to avoid marrying same-sex couples, based upon his or her personal, moral, and religious beliefs, acts contrary to the judicial oath of office and may raise reasonable questions about his or her impartiality in legal proceedings where sexual orientation is at issue [C2.41], [R2.40].

On 26 June 2013, the US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that same-sex couples have the constitutional right to marry and all states must fully recognize same-sex marriages lawfully performed in any jurisdiction [C2.39, [R2.38].

On 16 January 2015, the US Supreme Court agreed to consider the four same-sex marriage cases from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee, consolidated and heard together on the question as to whether the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to licence same-sex marriage and to recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages. A ruling is expected before the current term ends in late June [C2.37], [R2.36].

On 23 December 2014, the US Supreme Court confirmed that the same-sex marriage cases of Bourke v. Bashear (Kentucky) , DeBoer v. Snyder (Michigan), Obergefell v. Hodges (Ohio) and Tango v. Haslam (Tennessee) were distributed to the Justices for consideration at their 09 January Conference, when the case of Robicheaux v. George (Louisiana) will also be conferenced [R2.35].

On 18 December 2014, Athens County Common Pleas Court, Judge George McCarthy vacated his 25 November decision granting a divorce decree to Brenda Mohney and Erin O'Leary because Ohio statutory law and the Ohio constitution do not recognize same-sex marriage and he did not realise at the time that the parties were of the same gender [R2.34].

On 14 November 2014, a joint petition was filed in the US Supreme Court seeking a review of the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals opinion upholding the same-sex marriage bans in Ohio and Tennessee. Responses are due by 15 December, perhaps earlier. Petitions are also expected in the Kentucky and Michigan 6th Circuit cases [C2.33], [R2.32].

On 06 November 2014, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld same-sex marriaage bans in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. In contrast, the Fourth, Seventh, and Tenth Circuits have struck the bans down, making it more likely that the US Supreme Court will eventually make a ruling [C2.31], [R2.30].

On 04 November 2014, Judge George P McCarthy in the Athens County Common Pleas Court adopted the recommendation of Magistrate Melinda Bradford that a divorce be granted to Brenda Mohney Erin O'Leary who were married in 2008 in California however, Judge McCarthy said he signed an entry without recognizing it was a same-sex divorce and will now hold a hearing on whether the ruling should be vacated [R2.29].

On 25 September 2014, visiting Judge Judith Nicely (quaere for Judge Norman Zemmelman) in the Lucas County Court of Common Please, Domestic Relation Division, Toledo, granted the divorce to Gregory Ethan Stone and Stewart Mack Swanson, who were married in Massachusetts in 2004. Although Ohio bans same-sex marriage, the Judge ruled the court has jurisdiction because Ohio gives full faith and credit to all marriages that were legally entered into and recognized in another state [C2.28], [R2.27].

On 16 June 2014, the US Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinatti, in four separate notices, set 06 August at 1 pm as the single day to hear arguments in the five marriage equality cases pending before the court [R2.26].

On 30 April 2014, lead plaintiffs Michelle Gibson and Deborah Meem and four other same-sex couples filed a lawsuit challenging the denial of "marriage's many benefits and responsibilities" [C2.25], [R2.24].

On 03 March 2014, ahead of a federal judge's same-sex marriage ruling, Labor arbitrator Sarah Rudolph Cole decided against the state denial of bereavement leave and in favor of gay and lesbian state employees Federico Reyes and Michael Rose and Kelly Hedglin and Bonnie Bish, who were legally married out of state [C2.23], [R2.22].

On 14 April 2014, US District Court Judge Timothy S Black ruled Ohio's marriage recognition bans are facially unconstitutional and unenforceable under any circumstances. The Court STAYS enforcement of the Order and the Permanent Injunction until the parties have briefed whether or not the Court should fully stay its Orders until completion of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court [C2.21], [R2.20].

On 28 March 2014, attorney Al Gerhardstein said the Complaint in Cowger and Wesley v. Kasich was voluntarily withdrawn after family health insurance cover was obtained [R2.19].

On 19 February 2014, a Complaint was filed on behalf of a couple in the US District Court of Ohio seeking a declaration that Ohio's statewide ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional, interfering with their fundamental rights of family and parenting and preventing them from purchasing family health insurance policies [C2.18], [R2.17].

On 16 January 2014, the attorney general's office filed its notice of appeal in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati against Judge Timothy Black's 23 December ruling ordering the recognition of gay marriages on death certificates [R2.16].

On 23 December 2013, Judge Timothy Black in the Ohio US District Court that state officials must recognize the unions of same-sex couples,specifically addressing the matter of the issuance of death certificates and touching upon all aspects of the state law denying marriage equality [C2.15], [R2.14].

On 25 September 2013, US District Judge Timothy Black approved a request to expand the James Obergefell et. al. v. John Kasich lawsuit (Case: 1:13-cv-00501-TSB) - seeking to have the out-of-state marriages of two gay Ohio couples recognized on death certificates - has been expanded to include all similarly situated couples [R2.13].

On 03 September 2013, US District Judge Timothy Black ruled that the state of Ohio must recognize the out-of-state marriage of a gay couple, even though the state established a ban on marriage equality for same-sex couples in 2004, granting a temporary restraining order that David Michener of Cincinnati be listed as the spouse of his husband William Herbert Ives on Ives' death certificate [C2.12], [R2.11].

On 13 August 2013, Federal Judge Timothy Black extended his previous order, set to expire in less than a week, until 31 December, which will protect John Arthur and James Obergefell's marriage as their lawsuit against state and local authorities proceeds, preventing authorities from recording Arthur, who's dying of Lou Gehrig's disease, as single on his death certificate and not listing Obergefell as his spouse [R2.10].

On 22 July 2013, US District Judge Timothy Black temporarily restrained Ohio state officials  from accepting a death certificate for Plaintiff John Arthur that does not record his status at death as married and his surviving spouse as James Obergefell [C2.9], [C2.8], [R2.7].

On 19 July 2013, James Obergefell and John Arthur of Cincinnati filed a complaint in US District Court, Southern District against Ohio's governor, attorney general and the Cincinnati health department registrar who files death certificates, asking the court to rule Ohio's law and constitution violate their rights including equal protection [C2.6], [R2.5].

On 22 August 2012, Franklin County Judge James Mason found he could not approve the dissolution of the marriage of Laura Christina Thompson and Evangeline Grace Roller, who married in Toronto, Canada in 2007, because of Ohio's 2004 constitutional ban on same-sex marriage [R2.4].

On 17 August 2012, Judge Donald A Cox, a private, court-appointed judge, approved a divorce for two gay men: Oleksandr Dzhembaz and Oleksandr Volkov, of Milford Center, Ohio. They were married in Linn County, Iowa, in 2009 [R2.4].

On 15 March 2012, Judge Donald Cox a private judge appointed by Franklin County Domestic Relations Court, granted a divorce to Jonathan Baize and Stephen Wissman – who were married in New York on 01 September 2011 – on the basis that 2004 amendment to the Ohio constitution defines marriage as an opposite-sex institution and does not mention divorce [C2.3], [R2.2].

In August 2002, Ohio had reportedly sanctioned marriages between "same-sex" partners, where one was born the opposite sex, however a heterosexual couple had been denied a marriage license because the hopeful groom is transsexual [R2.1].

On 09 September 2015, Franklin County Probate Magistrate Carrie Wambaugh was reported to have granted David Cunningham joint adoption with husband Mark Cunningham of teenage sons Mitchell and Clayton, who Mark adopted as infants [R2.6].

On 09 August 2012, the 10th District Court of Appeals, Franklin ruled that a custody order in favour of Maggie Gross no longer applied because the man Jennifer Herrick (her former partner) had married after breaking up with Ms Gross had adopted the child [C2.5], [R2.4].

On 08 December 2010, the Ohio Court of Appeals ruled that a gay man who donated sperm to a lesbian couple so they could conceive a child, and who subsequently obtained a declaration of paternity, was obligated to pay for support of the child [C2.3], [R2.2].

On 13 December 2002, the Ohio Supreme Court amended an opinion after a lesbian couple seeking equal custody of their children argued that the ruling in their case inadvertently prohibited ''second-parent adoption'' in Ohio [R2.1].

Through second-parent adoption, a gay partner can acquire parental rights without forcing the other partner to relinquish such rights. [R2.1].

In December 2011, legislators were urged to act on HB No. 208 (introduced 20 April 2011) which would if passed into law,  amend section 3313.666 of the Revised Code to require that school anti-bullying policies prohibit harassment, intimidation, or bullying that is based on any actual or perceived trait or characteristic of a student including sexual orientation and gender identity [R1.1].